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Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
- snakedocter
- massive poster
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Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
First adopted by the Army in 1977 as an armor vehicle mounted secondary weapon system, the M240 7.62mm medium machine gun series has long been a dependable workhorse. After Army and Marine infantry units began employing the M240B in the mid 90s, the popularity of the gun soared as it became known for reliability, durability and low maintenance requirements. Despite its success, however, Soldiers still pointed to the added weight and length of the M240 as compared to its infantry squad predecessor, the M60. This feedback inspired the remedy which has arrived today in the titanium built M240L.
“We’ve taken a great gun and made it better,” said COL Douglas Tamilio, Project Manager (PM) Soldier Weapons for PEO Soldier. “The M240L meets all the standards of the M240B, but in a significantly lighter package. More than ever, we need weapons in the fleet that reduce the burden on our Soldiers who have to operate with heavy loads in extreme terrain.”
Manufacturing a Titanium Gun
The concept for the M240L originated on the drawing boards of PM Soldier Weapons at Picatinny Arsenal and the M240 manufacturer. The organizations collaborated to develop a variant of the M240B that would reduce the weapon’s weight by four to seven pounds without compromising the gun’s operational characteristics and outstanding reliability. To achieve this objective, engineers started evaluating high-performance, lightweight materials and alternative manufacturing methods.
After much research, engineers ultimately settled on using a titanium alloy as the primary metal for the M240L. Known as a “space age” metal, titanium is especially known for having the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. The new titanium parts on the M240L include the receiver body, the front site post, and the carrying handle.
Working with titanium called for adjustments to the manufacturing process. The lighter weight metal takes longer to machine than steel and requires more frequent replacement of tooling bits. Early on, engineers experimented with welding the titanium components together, but ran into warping issues. The final solution rested in using stainless steel rivets, which are more pliable than titanium and resist corrosion when in contact with titanium.
Once assembled, the weapon needed a protective coating to preserve the metal. Steel weapons typically get a phosphate coat and are subsequently oiled, but the titanium receiver required a completely different process.
“Titanium alloys don’t actually rust, they gall, causing the surface to become rough and deformed over time,” explained Thomas Walsh, M240 Product Management Engineer. “To solve this challenge, we researched coatings that could protect the metal under extreme operating temperatures. We found success with a chrome carbo-nitride coating used for industrial, high-heat applications. A ceramic-based top coat is added to complete the process.”
The final product weighs in at just 22.3 pounds, nearly five pounds lighter than the M240B. To those familiar with the M240B, there is hardly a discernible difference in the new gun beyond its lighter weight. The M240L meets all the operational requirements of the original while maintaining the same high standards of reliability and durability.
A New Weapon on the Battlefield
This January, PM Soldier Weapons delivered 50 M240Ls to dismounted Army and SOCOM units for operational assessment. Starting in September, more ground pounders in Airborne, Air Assault, and Special Forces units can look forward to receiving the new guns as production gets underway for the Army’s initial purchase of 4,500 weapons. Early Soldier performance tests indicate that Soldiers will like what they see.
In Aberdeen Proving Ground studies, Soldiers carried the M240L significantly faster than the M240B on the cross country course and turned in improved completion times in obstacle course runs as well. Soldiers also rated the majority of the mobility and user acceptability characteristics for the M240L significantly higher than the M240B.
Future enhancements to the M240L are already underway. This spring, testing will be completed on the short barrel, which will reduce the gun’s overall length by four inches and bring the weapon’s weight down to just 21.8 pounds. In addition, a collapsible buttstock for all M240 series guns will be available by late summer. Finally, an adjustable bipod is in the works.
“As we continue to listen, we continue to learn,” said COL Tamilio. “The titanium M240L represents a leap in weapons technology inspired by Soldier feedback. The lessons learned from this program will undoubtedly benefit future weapons systems that will maintain our continued advantage on the battlefield.”
“We’ve taken a great gun and made it better,” said COL Douglas Tamilio, Project Manager (PM) Soldier Weapons for PEO Soldier. “The M240L meets all the standards of the M240B, but in a significantly lighter package. More than ever, we need weapons in the fleet that reduce the burden on our Soldiers who have to operate with heavy loads in extreme terrain.”
Manufacturing a Titanium Gun
The concept for the M240L originated on the drawing boards of PM Soldier Weapons at Picatinny Arsenal and the M240 manufacturer. The organizations collaborated to develop a variant of the M240B that would reduce the weapon’s weight by four to seven pounds without compromising the gun’s operational characteristics and outstanding reliability. To achieve this objective, engineers started evaluating high-performance, lightweight materials and alternative manufacturing methods.
After much research, engineers ultimately settled on using a titanium alloy as the primary metal for the M240L. Known as a “space age” metal, titanium is especially known for having the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. The new titanium parts on the M240L include the receiver body, the front site post, and the carrying handle.
Working with titanium called for adjustments to the manufacturing process. The lighter weight metal takes longer to machine than steel and requires more frequent replacement of tooling bits. Early on, engineers experimented with welding the titanium components together, but ran into warping issues. The final solution rested in using stainless steel rivets, which are more pliable than titanium and resist corrosion when in contact with titanium.
Once assembled, the weapon needed a protective coating to preserve the metal. Steel weapons typically get a phosphate coat and are subsequently oiled, but the titanium receiver required a completely different process.
“Titanium alloys don’t actually rust, they gall, causing the surface to become rough and deformed over time,” explained Thomas Walsh, M240 Product Management Engineer. “To solve this challenge, we researched coatings that could protect the metal under extreme operating temperatures. We found success with a chrome carbo-nitride coating used for industrial, high-heat applications. A ceramic-based top coat is added to complete the process.”
The final product weighs in at just 22.3 pounds, nearly five pounds lighter than the M240B. To those familiar with the M240B, there is hardly a discernible difference in the new gun beyond its lighter weight. The M240L meets all the operational requirements of the original while maintaining the same high standards of reliability and durability.
A New Weapon on the Battlefield
This January, PM Soldier Weapons delivered 50 M240Ls to dismounted Army and SOCOM units for operational assessment. Starting in September, more ground pounders in Airborne, Air Assault, and Special Forces units can look forward to receiving the new guns as production gets underway for the Army’s initial purchase of 4,500 weapons. Early Soldier performance tests indicate that Soldiers will like what they see.
In Aberdeen Proving Ground studies, Soldiers carried the M240L significantly faster than the M240B on the cross country course and turned in improved completion times in obstacle course runs as well. Soldiers also rated the majority of the mobility and user acceptability characteristics for the M240L significantly higher than the M240B.
Future enhancements to the M240L are already underway. This spring, testing will be completed on the short barrel, which will reduce the gun’s overall length by four inches and bring the weapon’s weight down to just 21.8 pounds. In addition, a collapsible buttstock for all M240 series guns will be available by late summer. Finally, an adjustable bipod is in the works.
“As we continue to listen, we continue to learn,” said COL Tamilio. “The titanium M240L represents a leap in weapons technology inspired by Soldier feedback. The lessons learned from this program will undoubtedly benefit future weapons systems that will maintain our continued advantage on the battlefield.”
Can't save the world? Then prepare for its END!
- >Michael<
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Nur 2.2KG? Das ist alles?
And those who expected lightning and thunder
Are disappointed
And those who expected signs and archangels' trumps
Do not believe it is happening now
Are disappointed
And those who expected signs and archangels' trumps
Do not believe it is happening now
- >Michael<
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Wieviel 5.56 ist denn 2,2KG? Habe keine Waffe in dem Kaliber so kann ichs nicht sagen, dürfte aber nicht so umwerfend viel sein, besonders für ein LMG.
Das Gerät ist IMO nur Zeit und Geldverschwendung, man könnte genauso gut sagen das der Bediener der Waffe ein bisschen fitter sein soll so das er die 2,2KG Mehrgewicht effektiver umherschleppen kann. Kostet auch weniger.
Das Gerät ist IMO nur Zeit und Geldverschwendung, man könnte genauso gut sagen das der Bediener der Waffe ein bisschen fitter sein soll so das er die 2,2KG Mehrgewicht effektiver umherschleppen kann. Kostet auch weniger.
And those who expected lightning and thunder
Are disappointed
And those who expected signs and archangels' trumps
Do not believe it is happening now
Are disappointed
And those who expected signs and archangels' trumps
Do not believe it is happening now
Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Ich verstehe nicht warum mann Beiträge in englischer Sprache schreibt.
Kann mir einenr der Autoren sagen warum??????????
Kann mir einenr der Autoren sagen warum??????????
Harry the Gun
Schütz der net Zecht is den Teufel zu schlecht
Schütz der net Zecht is den Teufel zu schlecht
- cobaltbomb
- .50 BMG
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Kann mir einenr der Autoren sagen warum?
weils die infos aus ami blogs oder foren rüberkopiert werden, und keiner lust zum übersetzten hat
Of course they wont take away your hunting rifle, they will call it a sniper rifle first
Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Wär dir Russisch lieber ?
"mit einem netten wort und einer pistole erreicht man mehr, als mit einem netten wort allein .."
Al Capone *17.01.1899 - †25.01.1947
Tracerammunition-bulletinboard.eu __bitte eindeutschen
Al Capone *17.01.1899 - †25.01.1947
Tracerammunition-bulletinboard.eu __bitte eindeutschen
- Sukram
- .50 BMG
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Lernts Englisch herst
Ist ja eine tolle Sache aber wie gesagt Geldverschwendung und die Soldiers bekommen dann halt was anderes zum schleppen verpasst.
MfG
Ist ja eine tolle Sache aber wie gesagt Geldverschwendung und die Soldiers bekommen dann halt was anderes zum schleppen verpasst.
MfG
9x19, .223, .308win, 8x57IS , 12/76
Gibbs Rule #9 : Never Go Anywhere Without A Knife
Gibbs Rule #9 : Never Go Anywhere Without A Knife
- Vintageologist
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
>Michael< hat geschrieben:Wieviel 5.56 ist denn 2,2KG? Habe keine Waffe in dem Kaliber so kann ichs nicht sagen, dürfte aber nicht so umwerfend viel sein, besonders für ein LMG.
Gute Frage, dürfte aber einen M240 Gunner nicht interessieren, weil das bekanntlich in 7.62 ist
>Michael< hat geschrieben:Das Gerät ist IMO nur Zeit und Geldverschwendung, man könnte genauso gut sagen das der Bediener der Waffe ein bisschen fitter sein soll so das er die 2,2KG Mehrgewicht effektiver umherschleppen kann. Kostet auch weniger.
Irgendwo ist aber eine Grenze bei der Fitness. Eine leichtere Waffe ist immer besser. Gerade im engen Häuserkampf ist leichter und kürzer von Vorteil.
hagun64 hat geschrieben:Ich verstehe nicht warum mann Beiträge in englischer Sprache schreibt.
Kann mir einenr der Autoren sagen warum??????????
Ich will ja wirklich niemand zu nahe treten, aber Englisch sollte heutzutage Grundausstattung sein.
Ansonsten hast hier einen mäßigen Übersetzer...
http://www.google.at/language_tools?hl=de
♠ This home does not call 911 'till after we have called 1911 ♠
"A Russian Mosin is more or less a spear that happens to fire bullets."
"A Russian Mosin is more or less a spear that happens to fire bullets."
Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Hab zuerst auch gedacht, dass es das 223er ist, aber stimmt schon, es ist .308...
DVC+WH
Coolhand
DVC+WH
Coolhand
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Hier gibts auch das offizielle Factsheet dazu.
https://peosoldier.army.mil/FactSheets/ ... W_240L.pdf
https://peosoldier.army.mil/FactSheets/ ... W_240L.pdf
♠ This home does not call 911 'till after we have called 1911 ♠
"A Russian Mosin is more or less a spear that happens to fire bullets."
"A Russian Mosin is more or less a spear that happens to fire bullets."
- >Michael<
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Irgendwo ist aber eine Grenze bei der Fitness. Eine leichtere Waffe ist immer besser. Gerade im engen Häuserkampf ist leichter und kürzer von Vorteil.
2 Kg und 10cm? Ist ja nicht gerade der Hit, das rechnet den Entwicklungsaufwand und die Verarbeitungsprozedur des recht schwierig zu verarbeitenden Metalls nicht. .
Und ''leichter = super'' bei einem LMG würde ich mir nochmal überlegen, der Rückstoss nimmt 1:1 zu, bei 7.62 nicht so toll.
Hab' überlesen das das Gerät in 7.62x51 ist, da dürfte die Munifrage noch belangloser ausfallen, 90 Schuss 7.62x51 ~ 2.2Kg = Und bei den ''halt drauf'' Feuermethoden ist das in 20 Sekunden futsch.
Zuletzt geändert von >Michael< am So 25. Jul 2010, 21:26, insgesamt 1-mal geändert.
And those who expected lightning and thunder
Are disappointed
And those who expected signs and archangels' trumps
Do not believe it is happening now
Are disappointed
And those who expected signs and archangels' trumps
Do not believe it is happening now
Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
Ich glaube der limitierende Faktor wird der Preis sein, der im Übrigen hier nicht erwähnt wird. Aber wenn ich von anderen Bereichen so hochrechne, dann wird das gute Ding wohl an die 50% mehr kosten und das sind die 2kg einfach nicht wert.
Grüße
Sandman
Grüße
Sandman
.357mag, .45ACP, .22lr, .243win, 7x57, 7x64, .303Brit., .308win, 7,62x54R, .30-06, .300 Styria Magnum, 8x57IS, .338Lap.Mag., 11x36R, 16/70, 12/76, 10/89
- Vintageologist
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Re: Making the Army’s First Titanium Machine Gun
>Michael< hat geschrieben:Irgendwo ist aber eine Grenze bei der Fitness. Eine leichtere Waffe ist immer besser. Gerade im engen Häuserkampf ist leichter und kürzer von Vorteil.
2 Kg und 10cm? Ist ja nicht gerade der Hit, das rechnet den Entwicklungsaufwand und die Verarbeitungsprozedur des recht schwierig zu verarbeitenden Metalls nicht. .
Und leichter bei einem LMG würde ich mir nochmal überlegen, der Rückstoss nimmt 1:1 zu, bei 7.62 nicht so toll.
Naja 2kg sind besser als nichts. Mit 10,1kg ist es jetzt ungefähr so schwer wie das neueste M60E mit kurzem Lauf, aber wesentlich zuverlässiger und trotzdem wohl noch genügend schwer, um den Rückstoß abzudämpfen.
Zwischen M4 und M16 sinds auch "nur" 15cm Unterschied.
♠ This home does not call 911 'till after we have called 1911 ♠
"A Russian Mosin is more or less a spear that happens to fire bullets."
"A Russian Mosin is more or less a spear that happens to fire bullets."